Bloat is a very dangerous condition in which a dog’s stomach becomes expanded, putting pressure on their organs. In some cases, a dog’s stomach will twist or rotate, which traps the blood in the stomach and prevents it from moving back to the heart and the rest of the body. Additionally, bloat can tear the wall of the stomach, cause breathing complications, and send the dog into shock.

If not treated right away, bloat can be fatal, and it’s sometimes fatal even with treatment. Because this condition is so serious and comes on very quickly, it’s important to know what causes it, how to tell if your dog has bloat, and how to prevent it.

What Causes Bloat

Bloat is thought to be caused from a buildup of gas in the stomach. This buildup may be due either to your dog being unable to release swallowed air or bacteria fermenting in their tummy. The exact cause is not known.

There are 5 potential factors that could contribute to your dog’s inability to release air trapped in the stomach:

1. Age

Dogs over 7 years old may be more likely to have bloat than younger dogs.

2. Gender

Male dogs are twice as likely to experience bloat than female dogs.

3. Genetics

Dogs with a deep, narrow chests are thought to be in higher danger. Veterinarians believe that the depth and width of a dog’s chest closely correlate to their risk level for bloat.

4. Eating Habits

Dogs that eat one larger meal a day rather than two or three smaller meals may be at greater risk for bloat. Eating and drinking too quickly and exercising right after a meal can also cause bloat in dogs.

5. Breed

Veterinarians also believe there is a strong link between breed and bloat. The condition appears to occur more often in large breeds.

Based on a study conducted by The University of Purdue, the following 10 breeds are most at risk to experience bloat:

Great Dane

Saint Bernard

Weimaraner

Irish Setter

Gordon Setter

Standard Poodle

Bassett Hound

Doberman Pinscher

Old English Sheepdog

German Shorthaired Pointer

It should be noted, however, that just because your dog may not have made the list does not mean that they cannot suffer from bloat.

Signs of Bloat in Dogs

Take your dog to an emergency animal clinic right away if you notice symptoms of bloat. It’s always better to be safe because bloat can affect your dog very quickly.

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance can reimburse you for the costs of trips to emergency clinics, plus the costs of visits to your regular veterinarian and specialists. We’ve paid out over $4,000 on a claim for bloat! Get a quote for pet insurance today.

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance can reimburse you for the costs of trips to emergency clinics.

Treating Bloat in Dogs

When your dog arrives at the clinic, they will most likely be given intravenous catheters to increase their fluids. This is because they are at risk of going into shock or may already be in shock.

Pain relievers or antibiotics may also be administered.

After your dog is set up with catheters, the air will need to be released from their stomach. There are two ways in which this is typically done. One way is to put a tube down your dog’s throat to the stomach. The other way, which may be done if your dog’s stomach has flipped, is to place a hollow needle through the stomach.

Once your dog has been stabilized, your veterinarian may recommend abdominal surgery to reposition the stomach properly or prevent it from twisting again by suturing it.

Our pal Woodrow underwent emergency surgery to counteract bloat after having a scare from it in the middle of the night. Here’s his story:

"My dog, Woodrow, is a 6-year-old Golden Retriever who is our baby! One night, the sound of Woodrow vomiting awakened me. This happened a couple of times, and he looked white and pale. I immediately called our 24-hour animal hospital and took Woodrow in.

He had to have surgery for gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), which is the medical term for bloat. His stomach was rotated back and then tacked to the abdominal wall to prevent this from happening in the future. It took Woodrow a month or more to get back to his regular self.

All the stars must have lined up for Woodrow that night! Thank goodness he sleeps upstairs with us and that the hospital had a surgeon on-call. And, finally, thanks to Woodrow’s ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan that reimbursed much of our costs!” –Johnny H., Muttontown, NY

Preventing Bloat

Bloat can be tough to prevent because the exact cause of it is not always known, and your dog may get it even when you take precautions to prevent it.

To be on the safe side, you might want to try these 5 tips to prevent bloat in your dog:

Break up meals You don’t want your dog’s belly to be too full, so it’s recommended to portion their meals into two or three smaller ones rather than one big one. A big meal can mean greater risk for bloat.

Help them slow down Overzealous eaters may be at risk for bloat. When they inhale their food, they could be inhaling excess air as well.

My dog, Dakota, eats in this way, and his veterinarian thought it was concerning. So, it was recommended that we place a tire toy in his food bowl with the food pushed around it. Having to eat around the tire forces him to slow down a little bit. The tire trick might be worth trying for your pup if they’re always in a hurry to finish their food.

There are also special bowls designed to slow down your dog’s food intake. Check with your veterinarian for recommendations.

Let them eat alone Dogs with furry siblings sometimes eat like they’re in a race. It may be because they want to be sure they finish their food before their brother or sister comes along and finishes it for them.

If you think competition could be contributing to your dog’s rushed eating, try feeding them in a separate room than your other pets. This may eliminate some of their anxiety and help them eat more slowly and relaxed.

Limit water after eating Water should always be available to your dog, but if they have a tendency to lap up the entire bowl after a meal, you may want to put it up temporarily while their tummy digests their food. Excess water on a belly full of kibbles could contribute to twisting.

Avoid exercise right after meals Encourage your dog to take it easy after eating. If they start getting riled up, try coaxing them to curl up next to you for some cuddles. Vigorous activity on a full stomach can be bad news for our canine friends.

Get a free quote to cover your four-legged family.

Get Social With Us

*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage℠ reimbursements are based on the invoice. Levels 1-4 reimbursements are based on usual and customary eligible costs. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.

The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, produced and administered by C&F Insurance Agency, Inc. (NPN # 3974227), a Crum & Forster company. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCA’s marks and is not a charitable contribution. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™ is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company 2018.